Marvel by the Month

For an additional 30 minutes of bonus content — including our in-depth coverage of Marvel Feature #12-14 and Doctor Strange's cosmic battle against Sise-Neg — support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains over 90 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Stories Covered in this Episode: 

"Anybody Out There Remember... The Cobalt Man?" - Incredible Hulk #173, written by Roy Thomas, art by Herb Trimpe, letters by Jean Izzo, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Doomsday -- Down Under!" - Incredible Hulk #174, written by Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway, art by Herb Trimpe and Jack Abel, letters by Dave Hunt, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"No Friend Beside Him!" - Fantastic Four #142, written by Gerry Conway, art by Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott, letters by John Costanza, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"The Terrible Triumph of Doctor Doom!" - Fantastic Four #143, written by Gerry Conway, art by Rich Buckler and Frank Giacoia, letters by John Costanza, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Attack!" - Fantastic Four #144, written by Gerry Conway, art by Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott, letters by Artie Simek, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3 written by Robb Milne and performed by Robb Milne and Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

The complete version of this episode is available to Patrons who support us at the $4/month level at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth — join today to hear us cover all of these issues:

"Betrayed!" - Amazing Spider-Man #130, written by Gerry Conway, art by Ross Andru, Frank Giacoia, and Dave Hunt, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"... We, the Gargoyles!" - Astonishing Tales #22, written by Tony Isabella, art by Dick Ayers, letters by "Richard B." (Dick Ayers), colors by Linda Lessmann, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Death-Stars of the Zodiac!" - Avengers #120, written by Steve Englehart, art by Bob Brown and Don Heck, letters by Artie Simek, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Bust-Out!" - Captain America #171, written by Mike Friedrich and Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Vince Colletta, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Linda Lessmann, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Cry... Beetle!" - Daredevil #108, written by Steve Gerber, art by Bob Brown and Paul Gulacy, letters by John Costanza, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"The Titan Strikes Back!" - Defenders #12, written by Len Wein, art by Sal Buscema and Jack Abel, letters by Charlotte Jetter, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"The Terrible Triumph of Doctor Doom!" - Fantastic Four #143, written by Gerry Conway, art by Rich Buckler and Frank Giacoia, letters by John Costanza, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Death Stalks the Demolition Derby!" - Ghost Rider #4, written by Gary Friedrich, art by Jim Mooney and Vince Colletta, letters by Charlotte Jetter, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Anybody Out There Remember... The Cobalt Man?" - Incredible Hulk #173, written by Roy Thomas, art by Herb Trimpe, letters by Jean Izzo, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Nowhere to Go But Down!" - Man-Thing #2, written by Steve Gerber, art by Val Mayerik and Sal Trapani, letters by Jean Izzo, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Where Bursts the Bomb!" - Marvel Team-Up #18, written by Len Wein, art by Gil Kane, Frank Giacoia, and Mike Esposito, letters by Jean Izzo, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Two Worlds... and Dark Destiny" - Sub-Mariner #69, written by Steve Gerber, art by George Tuska and Vince Colletta, letters by Charlotte Jetter, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Hercules Enraged!" - Thor #221, written by Gerry Conway, art by John Buscema and Mike Esposito, letters by John Costanza, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Lo, the Monster Strikes!" - Werewolf by Night #14, written by Marv Wolfman, art by Mike Ploog and Frank Chiaramonte, letters by John Costanza, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 written and performed by Robb Milne and sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Making his record-setting 11th guest appearance on MBTM, Joe Keatinge is an Eisner Award-winning editor and writer of Shutter, Glory, Ringside, and much more! Head to tinyurl.com/bearvsbearcomic to check out his latest comics work, Bear vs. Bear, illustrated by Rob Guillory!

For an additional 30 minutes of bonus content — including our conversations about Luke Cage, Power Man #17 and Special Marvel Edition #15 — support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains over 90 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Stories Covered in this Episode: 

"Fiend in the Fog!" - Strange Tales #172, written by Len Wein, art by Gene Colan and Dick Giordano, letters by "L. P. Gregory" (Gaspar Saladino), colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu!" - Special Marvel Edition #15, written by Steve Englehart, art by Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Steve Englehart, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3 written by Robb Milne and performed by Robb Milne and Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

The complete version of this episode is available to Patrons who support us at the $4/month level at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth — join today to hear us cover all of these issues:

"The Vulture Hangs High!" - Amazing Spider-Man #128, written by Gerry Conway, art by Ross Andru, Frank Giacoia, and Dave Hunt, letters by John Costanza, colors by Michele Brand, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Night of the Collector" - Avengers #119, written by Steve Englehart, art by Bob Brown and Don Heck, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"When a Legend Dies!" - Captain America #169, written by Steve Englehart and Mike Friedrich, art by Sal Buscema and Frank McLaughlin, letters by Charlotte Jetter, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"J'Accuse!" - Captain America #170, written by Mike Friedrich and Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Vince Colletta, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"... To Be Free From Control!" - Captain Marvel #30, written by Jim Starlin, art by Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Jim Starlin, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Blind Man's Bluff!" - Daredevil #107, written by Steve Gerber, art by Bob Brown and Sal Buscema, letters by Charlotte Jetter, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"No Friend Beside Him!" - Fantastic Four #142, written by Gerry Conway, art by Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott, letters by John Costanza, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Revenge!" - Incredible Hulk #171, written by Gerry Conway, art by Herb Trimpe and Jack Abel, letters by Artie Simek, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"And Canst Thou Slay... The Juggernaut?" - Incredible Hulk #172, written by Tony Isabella, art by Herb Trimpe and Jack Abel, letters by Alan Kupperberg, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Battle Royal!" - Iron Man #66, written by Mike Friedrich, art by George Tuska and Mike Esposito, letters by Artie Simek, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Malice by Crimson Moonlight" - Jungle Action #8, written by Don McGregor, art by Rich Buckler and Klaus Janson, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Battle for the Palace of the Gods!" - Man-Thing #1, written by Steve Gerber, art by Val Mayerik and Sal Trapani, letters by John Costanza, colors by Dave Hunt, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Time Doom" - Marvel Premiere #13, written by Steve Englehart, art by Frank Brunner and the Crusty Bunkers, letters by John Costanza, colors by Frank Brunner, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Chaos at the Earth's Core!" - Marvel Team-Up #17, written by Len Wein, art by Gil Kane, inked by "everybody," letters by Jean Izzo, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Vengeance of the Molecule Man!" - Marvel Two-In-One #1, written by Steve Gerber, art by Gil Kane and Joe Sinnott, letters by Jean Izzo, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"On the Brink of Madness!" - Sub-Mariner #68, written by Steve Gerber, art by Don Heck and Jim Mooney, letters by Artie Simek, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"A Galaxy Consumed!" - Thor #219, written by Gerry Conway, art by John Buscema and Mike Esposito, letters by L. P. Gregory (Gaspar Saladino), colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Behold! The Land of Doom!" - Thor #220, written by Gerry Conway, art by John Buscema and Mike Esposito, letters by John Costanza, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Return from the Grave!" - Tomb of Dracula #16, written by Marv Wolfman, art by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Tom Palmer, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Death Rides the Rails!" - Tomb of Dracula #17, written by Marv Wolfman, art by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer, letters by John Costanza, colors by Tom Palmer, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"His Name Is Taboo" - Werewolf by Night #13, written by Marv Wolfman, art by Mike Ploog and Frank Chiaramonte, letters by John Costanza, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 written and performed by Robb Milne and sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Gerry Conway got his start writing comics with a story in DC Comics’ House of Secrets #81 in 1969, when he was just 16 years old. Within three years, he'd written Daredevil, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Inhumans, The Black Widow, Thor, Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night, Tomb of Dracula, and Fantastic Four. And in 1972, he became only the second writer after Stan Lee to script The Amazing Spider-Man, where he introduced Hammerhead, Man-Wolf, Tarantula, The Grizzly, Cyclone, The Jackal, and the man we're here to talk about today, The Punisher! (He also killed and then cloned Gwen Stacy, which kept him away from comic book conventions for a decade.)

For an additional 30 minutes of bonus content — including an additional 20 minutes of Gerry talking about 1970's Marvel, the Man-Thing/Swamp Thing controversy, and The Night Gwen Stacy Died — support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains nearly 90 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Stories Covered in this Episode: 

"The Punisher Strikes Twice!" - Amazing Spider-Man #129, written by Gerry Conway, art by Ross Andru, Frank Giacoia, and Dave Hunt, letters by John Costanza, colors by Dave Hunt, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3 written by Robb Milne and performed by Robb Milne and Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

The complete version of this episode is available to Patrons who support us at the $4/month level at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth — join today to hear us talk about this hilarious (and shockingly gender equitable!) historical artifact.

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 written and performed by Robb Milne and sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Dan McCoy and Stuart Wellington are the co-creators and two-thirds of the hosts of The Flop House, which is a podcast where they watch bad movies and then talk about them (don't make it more complicated than you need to, Dan)! Stu also owns two of the best bars in Brooklyn: Hinterlands and Minnie's!

For an additional 20 minutes of bonus content — including the first appearances of Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan, and his sister, Satana, plus MORE Brother Voodoo — support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains nearly 90 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Stories Covered in this Episode: 

"Brother Voodoo!" - Strange Tales #169, written by Len Wein, art by Gene Colan and Dan Adkins, letters by John Costanza, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"The Enchanter's Apprentice" - Adventure Into Fear #19, written by Steve Gerber, art by Val Mayerik and Sal Trapani, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Stan Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"MONSTER by the Month" theme written and performed by Robb Milne. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

The complete version of this episode is available to Patrons who support us at the $4/month level at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth — join today to hear us cover all of these issues:

"Death From On High!" - Incredible Hulk #170, written by Chris Claremont and Steve Englehart, art by Herb Trimpe and Jack Abel, letters by Artie Simek, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"The End of the Fantastic Four!" - Fantastic Four #141, written by Gerry Conway, art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott, letters by John Costanza, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Shake Hands With Stiletto!" - Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #16, written by Tony Isabella, art by Billy Graham and Frank McLaughlin, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Linda Lessmann, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Beware the Basilisk My Son!" - Marvel Team-Up #16, written by Len Wein, art by Gil Kane and Jim Mooney, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"... And a Phoenix Shall Arise!" - Captain America #168, written by Roy Thomas and Tony Isabella, art by Sal Buscema, John Tartaglione, and George Roussos, letters by Charlotte Jetter, colors by Linda Lessmann, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"The Cutting Edge of Death!" - Iron Man #65, written by Mike Friedrich, art by George Tuska and Mike Esposito, letters by Artie Simek, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Life Be Not Proud!" - Daredevil #106, written by Steve Gerber, art by Don Heck and Sal Trapani, letters by Shelly Lefferman, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"The Dark Wings of Death!" - Amazing Spider-Man #127, written by Gerry Conway, art by Ross Andru, Frank Giacoia, and Dave Hunt, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Return to the Savage Land!" - Ka-Zar #1, written by Mike Friedrich, art by Paul Reinman and Mike Royer, letters by Mike Royer, colors by Stan Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Where Pass the Black Stars There Also Passes... Death!" - Thor #218, written by Gerry Conway, art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott, letters by Artie Simek, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 written and performed by Robb Milne and sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

If you don't know who Matt Fraction and Brian Michael Bendis are, you probably weren't reading Marvel comics in the first decade of the 21st century, because they pretty much wrote all of the best ones. Two hundred thank-yous to Brian for making his second appearance on the pod, and to Matt for making his fifth (!!) for this milestone occasion!

For an additional 45 minutes of bonus content — including the 12th part of the Avengers/Defenders War, plus our conversations about the evolution of storytelling, the 1973 box office, MacGuffin quests, onomatopoeia, how to encourage an artist, Harrison Ford, the sexiness of Namor, and Kurt Russell's grudge against Jim Bouton — support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains nearly 90 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Stories Covered in this Episode: 

"Below Us the Battle!" - Avengers #115, written by Steve Englehart, art by Bob Brown and Mike Esposito, letters by Jean Izzo, colors by Stan Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"... If Atlantis Should Fall!" - Defenders #8, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Frank McLaughlin, letters by Charlotte Jetter, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Betrayal!" - Avengers #116, written by Steve Englehart, art by Bob Brown and Mike Esposito, letters by John Costanza, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Divide... and Conquer!" - Defenders #9, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Frank McLaughlin, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Holocaust" - Avengers #117, written by Steve Englehart, art by Bob Brown and Mike Esposito, letters by June Braverman, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Breakthrough!" - Defenders #10, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Frank  Bolle, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"To the Death!" - Avengers #118, written by Steve Englehart, art by Bob Brown, Mike Esposito, and Frank Giacoia, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 written and performed by Robb Milne and sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Thank you to our fans, friends, and families for 200 episodes of support! Onto the next 200!

Charles Soule just celebrated his 10th anniversary with Marvel Comics, where he's written critically acclaimed series like Death of Wolverine, She-Hulk, Daredevil, and Death of X, as well as more Star Wars comics than you can swing a lightsaber at. His creator-owned series Curse Words, Letter 44, and Eight Billion Genies are not to be missed, and his third original novel The Endless Vessel, just hit bookstore shelves this week -- check it out!

For an additional 30 minutes of bonus content — including the return of the Blood Brothers in Marvel Feature #12 and the first two issues of the Black Panther's solo series in Jungle Action #6-7 — support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains over 80 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Stories Covered in this Episode: 

"Queen of the Werewolves!" - Captain America #164, written by Steve Englehart, art by Alan Lee Weiss, letters by John Costanza, colors by Jim Starlin, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"The Yellow Claw Strikes" - Captain America #165, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Frank McLaughlin, letters by Charlotte Jetter, colors by George Roussos, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Night of the Lurking Dead!" - Captain America #166, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Frank Giacoia, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Dave Hunt, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Ashes to Ashes" - Captain America #167, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Frank Giacoia, letters by Charlotte Jetter, colors by Dave Hunt, ©1973 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 written and performed by Robb Milne and sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.